On The Trainer's Truck At Melton!

Made it through orientation on Monday and now on the trainer's truck. We've done two loads so far that have been short runs and gotten some securement work in.

At this point I'm going at a snail's pace and making stupid mistakes that seem like common sense after the fact lol. My trainer assures me that speed and proficiency will come in time.

I drove for a little bit yesterday and I can honestly say that was the very first time I've been nervous about driving. I guess because it's 'for real' this time! Haha

So far I'm really liking this company. Everyone is so nice and helpful here and I think I'll be successful at Melton. Of course ive only been here a week and a half but so far so good!!

I was a little iffy about driving flatbed at first but now I'm glad I decided to. They give you a lot of tools and training to be successful here. Ready to get past training and the first 30 days solo behind me, I've heard those are the hardest.

Josh E.

Congrats Josh! Sounds like you're just working out the bugs. Sure you will get it a become a rock star. I was going to try flatbed at TMC but was worried about the testing. (Haha) if I didn't pass it I would be out of there. I finally decided to try flatbeding at Roehl. If I do not get through that I can just switch divisions with them. I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying flatbeding. I've been excited since I made the decision to push for flatbeding. Glad everyone is treating you well.

Stay safe out there.

Congrats Josh! Sounds like you're just working out the bugs. Sure you will get it a become a rock star. I was going to try flatbed at TMC but was worried about the testing. (Haha) if I didn't pass it I would be out of there. I finally decided to try flatbeding at Roehl. If I do not get through that I can just switch divisions with them. I'm so glad to hear you are enjoying flatbeding. I've been excited since I made the decision to push for flatbeding. Glad everyone is treating you well.

Stay safe out there.

I've heard really good things about Roehl and you're right, you can switch divisions, that is awesome! They also have the hometime fleets too, which is great.

I hope you like it there and thanks for the kind words!!

I'm sure you'll do just fine and I wish you the best. And if course post about your experiences at Roehl for all of us.

Josh E.

One of the national champion drivers at Con-way said to me,

"You have to learn to do things well ...slowly, before you can learn to do them well and fast."

-mountain girl

I'm totally sucking at driving. In school I thought I was a decent driver. I didn't grind gears, my downshifting was pretty good, I took turns well and wide enough, and I could back up decently...

Being on the trainer's truck is a totally different story. I don't know if it's nerves or what but I feel like it's my first time driving almost. I forget to take turns wide enough, I grind gears frequently and screw up backing in truck stops.

What gives!? It's like I forgot everything I learned in school. Really getting frustrated, anyone gone through this situation? Any advice?

Congrats on making it to the trainers truck, Josh! That's awesome! I'd be willing to bet, it's just nerves as far as your driving is concern.

I'm really interested in how you like Melton. They're one of my top picks, along with TMC. But, there's something about Melton that really seems to appeal to me. Can't quite put my finger on it yet, but it's there. Know what I mean?

Anyway, Let us know how it goes.

Best of luck, my friend!

Tarren

I'm totally sucking at driving. In school I thought I was a decent driver. I didn't grind gears, my downshifting was pretty good, I took turns well and wide enough, and I could back up decently...

Being on the trainer's truck is a totally different story. I don't know if it's nerves or what but I feel like it's my first time driving almost. I forget to take turns wide enough, I grind gears frequently and screw up backing in truck stops.

What gives!? It's like I forgot everything I learned in school. Really getting frustrated, anyone gone through this situation? Any advice?

It's fatigue, man, and things will get better soon. I recall that on about days 4 & 5 with my trainer, all of my skills regressed - grinding/missing gears, not squaring off turns, etc. There is a lot of mental strain, not to mention trouble sleeping and living in an over-sized closet with another guy, that affects the trainee physically and it sneaks up on you. During that time, I actually stalled out in Houston trying to merge from US 59 onto the 610 loop (could not find a gear for anything!). However, things improved greatly after this and I finished the training strongly. Drink plenty of water and try to get adequate rest. You'll do fine.

I'm totally sucking at driving. In school I thought I was a decent driver. I didn't grind gears, my downshifting was pretty good, I took turns well and wide enough, and I could back up decently...

Being on the trainer's truck is a totally different story. I don't know if it's nerves or what but I feel like it's my first time driving almost. I forget to take turns wide enough, I grind gears frequently and screw up backing in truck stops.

What gives!? It's like I forgot everything I learned in school. Really getting frustrated, anyone gone through this situation? Any advice?

It's fatigue, man, and things will get better soon. I recall that on about days 4 & 5 with my trainer, all of my skills regressed - grinding/missing gears, not squaring off turns, etc. There is a lot of mental strain, not to mention trouble sleeping and living in an over-sized closet with another guy, that affects the trainee physically and it sneaks up on you. During that time, I actually stalled out in Houston trying to merge from US 59 onto the 610 loop (could not find a gear for anything!). However, things improved greatly after this and I finished the training strongly. Drink plenty of water and try to get adequate rest. You'll do fine.

I sure hope so!

Congrats on making it to the trainers truck, Josh! That's awesome! I'd be willing to bet, it's just nerves as far as your driving is concern.

I'm really interested in how you like Melton. They're one of my top picks, along with TMC. But, there's something about Melton that really seems to appeal to me. Can't quite put my finger on it yet, but it's there. Know what I mean?

Anyway, Let us know how it goes.

Best of luck, my friend!

Tarren

From what I've seen so far I really like Melton. The other drivers here seem to be happy as well. The office people are really nice and helpful, and I ran into the owner of the company and he's a super nice guy. I like the culture of this company, it is kind of like a family. But, that might be with any company of this size, I don't have anything to compare it to lol. Hopefully I can get on track and pass the training and get my own truck.

I wish I could tell you more but my experience is limited. I've heard good things about TMC as well. They don't hire from my part of NC so I didn't research them.

Good luck man and let me know what you decide.

And thanks for the advice Tarren, Josh E.

I think you're right about drinking plenty of water. I haven't been drinking much. I've driven about 3 days so hopefully the next or the following day things will start to click.

What does the trainer look for to pass you and say, "hey this guy's ready for his own truck" ?

Thanks man, Josh E.